Tag: croutons

By Bread (and Chocolate) Alone

As far as dietary sacrifices go, I can imagine far worse conditions than living by bread alone. Anyone who says otherwise must not know of the wonders of flour, water, and yeast, and the incredible range of flavors such a humble combination can produce. Of course, a smidgen of chocolate would turn the whole affair into a genuine treat rather than a trial, but the same could probably be said for any sort of cocoa-infused pairing.

Let’s keep this one short and to the point: If you like bread and/or chocolate, together or separately, this is a recipe you should take for a spin. Crunchy croutons take the place of bland wafer cookies in this classic no-bake bar cookie. Accented with chocolate and hazelnuts, the whole mixture is bound with a dark, toasty caramel. Finally, a touch of salt and pepper sets this unique treat apart.

Yield: Makes 12 - 16 Servings

Bread and Chocolate Slice

Bread and Chocolate Slice

If you like bread and/or chocolate, together or separately, this is a recipe you should take for a spin. Crunchy croutons take the place of bland wafer cookies in this classic no-bake bar cookie. Accented with chocolate and hazelnuts, the whole mixture is bound with a dark, toasty caramel. Finally, a touch of salt and pepper sets this unique treat apart.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 Ounces Fresh Baguette, Diced into Very Small Cubes (1/4 – 1/2 inch)
  • 3 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Cup Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Flax Seeds, Finely Ground
  • 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
  • 1 Cup Toasted Hazelnuts
  • 1/4 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
  • 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil, Melted
  • 1 Cup Turbinado Sugar
  • 5 Ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Melted
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Coconut Oil
  • Flaky Sea Salt, Optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and have a baking sheet at the ready.
  2. Slice the baguette into very small cubes, between 1/4 – 1/2 inch, as long as they’re equally to ensure that they’ll bake evenly. Toss the pieces with the olive oil, salt, and pepper until full coated, and then spread the bread out in one even layer on your waiting baking sheet. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through, until golden brown all over. Let cool completely.
  3. While the oven is still hot, place the hazelnuts in a small baking dish and slide them into the oven for 5 – 10, until lightly toasted and aromatic. Let them cool for about 5 minutes before rubbing them in a kitchen towel to remove the papery skins.
  4. Measure out 3 cups of croutons and set them aside. Place the rest of them in your food processor along with the cocoa powder, ground flax seeds, and cornstarch, and pulse until coarsely ground. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl along with the reserved whole croutons, skinned hazelnuts, and shredded coconut, stirring lightly to combine. Set aside.
  5. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with foil and lightly grease.
  6. Combine the melted coconut oil and sugar in a medium saucepan over moderate heat on the stove. Resist the urge to stir again once the sugar has dissolved, swirling the pan gently instead to mix the contents. Bring to a boil and let cook until the sugar caramelizes and turns a deep amber color. Quickly pour the hot caramel into the bowl of dry ingredients, stir thoroughly to incorporate, and transfer the whole thing into your prepared pan, spreading it out into as flat a layer as possible.
  7. Finally, mix together the chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil in a small pitcher, and pour it all over the top of the bars while they’re still warm. Use a spatula to smooth it over and distribute it evenly across the whole pan. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt if desired.
  8. Let cool until the chocolate has set. Slice into bars and store in an air-tight container at room temperature.

Notes

Use gluten-free bread to make this recipe gluten-free.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 290Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 157mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 2gSugar: 18gProtein: 4g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Cookies and Bars

Hannah (BitterSweet)13 Comments

Soup or Salad?

Dear California,

I understand you’ve been having unseasonably warm weather lately, despite the stark contrast of chilly days and near-freezing nights over on the opposite side of the country. I feel your pain, really I do, but not everyone else sees it this way. I write to you as a friend, not to criticize but to suggest toning down the complaints, at least until Halloween has passed. Some of New England is getting mighty jealous, and I hate to see such petty things come between you two.

Love, Hannah.

PS, did you ever find the cell phone charger I left at your place two years ago?

It’s a tricky time of year, when the stretch of land makes the distance between our country’s coasts all the more apparent. Jump on a plane and you’ll find yourself in an entirely different climate, one that can feel so vastly different that it may as well be a different planet. Suddenly I have to worry about our slow-ripening tomatoes getting hit with the first frost before they ever have a chance to mature, while friends hundreds of miles away bemoan the summer that just won’t quit.

Always seeking that elusive middle ground, some compromise that will make everyone happy, I offer you this odd-ball recipe. Soup that can be served just as satisfying hot or cold, the concept is nothing new, but the content might give unsuspecting eaters pause. With a good bit of leftover Caesar dressing but feeling too cold for straight-up salad, I decided to take a gamble and turn the classic combination into a more liquid format. A light starter, bright with sharp acidity, it’s an excellent way to kick off any meal. Chilled, the flavors have more time to meld and harmonize, but warm, it soothes the soul and takes the edge off a brisk day. Such an avant-garde serving suggestion may not suit everyone’s tastes, but it’s sure worth a try, no matter what coast you find yourself on.

Yield: Makes 4 - 5 Side Dish or Starter-Sized Servings

Caesar Soup

Caesar Soup

Get all the great flavors of Caesar salad in a creamy spoonful! A light starter, bright with sharp acidity, it’s an excellent way to kick off any meal. Chilled, the flavors have more time to meld and harmonize, but warm, it soothes the soul and takes the edge off a brisk day.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

Caesar Soup

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 2 Small, Trimmed and Cleaned Leeks (White and Light Green Parts only) (6 Ounces)
  • 2 Small Cloves Garlic, Finely Minced
  • 1 Yukon Gold Potato (6 – 8 Ounces), Peeled and Diced
  • 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice
  • 3 1/2 – 4 Cups Vegetable Stock
  • 1 Pounds Romaine Lettuce (About 2 Hearts), Plus 4 – 5 Firm Inner Leaves for Garnish
  • 1 Cup Baby Spinach
  • 1/3 Cup Vegan Caesar Dressing, Plus 1 – 2 Tablespoons for Garnish
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • Salt, to Taste

Garlic and Herb Croutons

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, Finely Minced
  • 1 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme (or 1/2 Teaspoon Dried)
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Coarse Salt
  • 2 1/2 Cups 1/2-Inch Cubed Sourdough Bread (About 3 1.5-Ounce Slices)

Instructions

  1. To begin the soup, coat the bottom of a medium saucepan with olive oil and set it over medium heat. Add in the leeks and garlic, gently sauteing until softened and aromatic; about 3 – 4 minutes. Be careful not to brown the vegetables, but rather allow them to sweat. Add in the potato, lemon juice, and 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock, and bring the mixture up to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and let bubble quietly for 10 – 15 minutes, until the potato is fork-tender.
  2. Transfer the contents of the pot to your blender and thoroughly puree. Introduce a few handfuls of spinach and romaine at a time, blending until the bulk has been chopped down, and then adding the next bunch. Puree until completely smooth- The soup will not be nearly as enjoyable if it’s not perfectly silky in texture. Finally, add the dressing, pepper, and salt to taste, blending briefly to combine. Either chill for at least 3 hours for a cold version, or serve right away to enjoy it hot.
  3. For the croutons, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with a silpat or aluminum foil. (Note: I wanted to save some energy so I made mine in a little toaster oven. The pieces all fit, but barely, so be mindful of your space if you go that route.)
  4. Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl, and toss to coat all of the bread cubes. Pour everything onto your prepared sheet, and spread out the cubes so that they’re all in one even layer. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes, stirring halfway through the cook time, until golden brown and crisp. Let cool completely before serving.
  5. To serve, ladle out the soup into bowls and top with some of the reserved, chopped lettuce, a drizzle of extra dressing, and a handful of croutons.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

5

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 233Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2260mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 7g
© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Soups and Stews

Hannah (BitterSweet)38 Comments